Chapter 1
I am but a shadow of my Father’s doings.
@ pagesix
“With the Stark Industries annual Charity Gala let's look back at the world's iconic hero’s looks as they graced the iron carpet. #StarkGala2017 #Throwback”
*Images of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts at the 2012 Gala, Steve Rogers at the 2014 Gala and more…*
@ voguemagazine
“Tonight marks the 3rd year of the Stark Industries annual Charity Gala. The event is set to hold the world's mightiest heroes and top celebrities who gather to raise funds for ‘Project Mercy’ - a charity based in NYC for those unhoused by Avenger related disasters. #StarkGala2017.”
@ ironwife
“THEY’VE ARRIVED AHHHH #StarkGala2016 #IronMan”
*Shaky image of Tony Stark signing posters at the entrance to the carpet*
@ natashabemywife
“my life is complete.”
*BeReal with a crying fan in Black Widow cosplay on one side and Nastasha Romanoff awkwardly smiling on the other*
@ ch3rryr3d
“I can’t get over Thor in a suit it feels so wrong #StarkGala2017”
@ heroeshunteroffical
“It’s official: the Stark Gala is now half superhero showdown, half celebrity catwalk. All the Avengers, big names, and—wait—is that the Sorcerer Supreme?” 🦸♀️🦸♂️ #StarkGala2017 #SuperheroSquad”
@ spideyson
“I hope spidey turns up today. he never goes to these events #StarkGala2017 #freespider-man”
@ fangirl_nation
“holy shit the stark kids have arrived! i would give anything to be them 😭 #StarkGala2017 #starkkids”
@ angeljohnson_xx
“Can we talk about how Peter Parker-Stark showed up with that suit? The 15-year-old’s already pulling off Stark-level fashion!! #FutureTony #StarkLegacy #PeterParkerSlays #StarkGala2017”
*Peter Parker-Stark posing with a deep maroon suit and yellow shaded glasses holding up a peace sign*
@ starkchronicles
“Indiana Stark finally seen on the #StarkGala2017 carpet! I’ve been waiting for this since she could walk! #IndianaStark #childprodigy”
*Indiana Stark pictured with a small smile and lilac frilled dress just brushing her knees and small heels*
@ indianastarkunoffical
“Indiana we’ve missed you! #StarkGala2017”
@ indianalove
“what i’d give to be indiana star-
“indiana is living the lif-”
“i’d sell my soul to be indi-”
“India-”
Indiana Stark quickly shut her phone off and slammed it back onto the table in front of her.
A scowl was permanently etched onto her face as she scanned the room. It was filled with every face she’d seen plastered across magazine covers, billboards and adverts that slipped into her feed. It made her want to rip her hair out.
This was her worst nightmare.
Her parents had done what they could to keep her out of the limelight, but the child of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts wasn’t so easy to hide. Since she can remember cameras followed her every move from her commute to school to her dance recitals in elementary school.
She hated it. She hated it all.
All she had every wanted was to be a normal kid.
She remembers the first time she realised she wasn’t normal.
Despite the paparazzi storming her school events she’d managed to avoid unwanted attention during her earlier years of life. But middle school had thrown it right back into her face.
The first day she walked down those hallways she had heard people whispering her name. At first she had been confused that they all knew who she was until a stiff nosed 7th grader had slid into her path and introduced herself. She didn’t have the brain capacity to remember what she’d called herself but she had invited her to sit at their table. She had been happy to take it but was quick to find out they wanted more from her. She was bombarded with questions about her parents, iron man and even the avengers. Even when Indiana had tried to answer more questions and even demands followed.
The worst had been her first sleepover.
After going back and forth forever about staying in Stark Tower and Indiana’s continued denial they had agreed on the girls house. When shopping the girl had filled her cart to the top and when waiting to check out asked Indiana if she had brought her Dad’s card. She had stormed out and called Happy to pick her up.
From that movement Indiana Stark was a shadow.
She hid wherever she could, making herself invisible to the naked eye.
She found solstice in the art corridors where she would mindlessly sketch until the bell rang for next period.
High school hadn’t been much better.
Her first year was about midway done in Midtown High and she already wanted it to be over with.
Her parents had enrolled her there because Peter went there, her half brother.
Peter had come into the family when he was 8 years old. Something about a paternity test when his Aunt and Uncle found out he wasn’t Richards. Surprisingly to not just the Parkers and the Starks but the entire world, Peter was a Stark.
They’d being having split custody of Peter since who melded into the family rather quickly.
Indiana loved her brother, as did he, but he grated on her nerves sometimes.
He was the spitting image of their Dad in every way possible.
They both had the curly brown hair of a Stark, he had the love for mechanics and engineering and the mind to match it like her Dad and he was a superhero.
Indiana ticked none of those boxes.
Sure she looked the part of a Stark with her thick dark hair and olive Italian skin, and maybe she was smarter than most but that wasn’t where her heart lay.
No, it lived in the streets of NYC painted on the walls of undisturbed brick and in the beat of Hip Hop music echoing across alleyways across the city that never sleeps.
Her Dad couldn't comprehend this. A Stark had an iron heart and a brain to match. Indiana’s was a mess of paint splatters and dancing icons.
All of this combined made Indiana want to forcefully remove any connection to the Stark in her. But she couldn’t.
Not only would it follow her to her dying days but she also loved her family.
She loved her Dad’s wit and generosity even if she did butt heads with him half the time.
She loved her Mum’s logically and unconditional love, how she always encouraged Indiana to follow what she loved.
And Peter. She loved Peter so much.
He was a breath of fresh air and a good source of comfort. He was always there for her whether taking the blame or watching vine compilations on Youtube when she wasn’t feeling well. That to say he really did piss her off sometimes.
She feels like her parents go easy on him. With his spider-man personna in full go he was allowed to stay out late at night and continue all his other escapades.
Indiana thinks it’s a lot of guilt her Dad felt for not knowing about him for 8 years of his life. It made sense but what didn’t make it fair was that Idiana couldn’t step out of the house without protection.
Yeah, she may not have freaky spider powers but she could throw a pretty good punch.
Speaking of she could feel Happy behind her brooding and keeping watch.
Happy was great and all but he wasn’t a great source of conversation.
Indiana could stand up and talk to someone but everyone here was more interested in the glitz of the hall and talking to the heroes. Plus she wasn’t one to talk to people anyway.
Even her media training couldn’t hide her disdain for stardom whether wanted or not.
Only two more hours and her parents said she could leave.
She would pick her phone back up but her entire feed was painted with mentions of her presence at the Gala. It was nice knowing people liked her for doing absolutely nothing but it felt empty.
Echoes of past interactions also told her exactly how they'd act if she ever spoke to them.
Lost in her sulking she didn’t notice Bucky Barnes, formally known as the Winter Soldier, slipping into the seat next to her until she saw the glint of his metal hand poking out his formal suit.
She jumped nearly out of her seat, letting out a very embarrassing squeal that had some partygoers glancing her way.
She shrunk into her seat glaring at the grinning super soldier.
“That was rude.”
She mumbled under her breath as she straightened her dress.
It was so not her she would rather vomit all over it then wear it again.
Bucky chuckled lightly and leant his elbows on the table passing a watchful eye around the room.
“Not your scene?”
He said to her without making eye contact. She shook her head, settling back into a more comfortable position.
“I’ve never liked this stuff. Feels pointless.”
Bucky huffed.
“It’s for charity you know?”
He glanced a raised eyebrow in her direction but she didn’t back down.
“I know that. It’s just-... I don't see why I need to be here.”
Bucky seemed to think on that for a bit before speaking up in a gruffer voice.
“I hear you. I’d say a nepo baby probably gets more people excited and donating than a brainwashed assassin.”
Indiana swallows dryly. She knows Bucky is trying to make her feel more welcome but it does the opposite.
She still remembers the last year of chaos and civil war amoungst the Avengers.
Not only was it how Peter was exposed to the family but it had hurt her Dad a lot.
He was so much shorter with his kids, Indiana most so. She had felt more isolated than anything. He wouldn’t tell her anything until he came back to the Tower bloody and almost dead. How he managed to forgive them and rebuild the accords she has no idea.
Her Dad had spirit, she had to give it there.
It had been awkward initially having everyone back at the compound but the ice was slowly melting. Bucky had moved in about a month ago.
She knew her Dad was still cautious, even now she could spot him eyeing the pair from the other side of the room, probably talking to Happy who stepped closer behind Indiana.
They didn't have anything to worry about though, she knew whatever the Wakandans had done had fixed the programming and Bucky was just a fragile soul.
He walked like he would break something and kept to himself. If Steve Rogers wasn’t around Indiana is sure he’d be locked in his room or the gym 100% of the time. Luckily not because Indiana was quite fond of Bucky and his messed up humour.
Plus he made the best sandwiches when she visits.
Indiana nudged Bucky and gave him that look that told him to stop being such a crybaby. He rolled his eyes at her but smiled a bit.
They chatted a bit longer before Steve pulled him away to speak to some people. He winked at Indiana as they left, leaving her red head to toe. No matter how much time to spend around Captain America he had a way of making your heart race.
Time was ticking slowly and Indiana felt herself going crazy.
She stood up making her way over to the drinks section.
She’d love to down a flute right now but with Happy and Friday watching her every move she knew she wouldn’t get away with it this time.
She chuckles remembering the Stark Expo of 2010. The stories she heard from her Mum were enough to make her smile fondly at the memory.
While grabbing a coke a pair of hands stapped her sides and without even looking she stamped her foot on her offenders foot.
Turning around she came face to face with Peter. Her brother had left his jacket and glasses somewhere and had set his mission to torment his sister.
He quickly dodged a swipe coming his way cackling the whole time.
“Careful there Indi, you almost got me! Sure you haven’t got some powers brewing in there?”
He went to poke her stomach but she swatted his hand away. Indiana couldn’t help herself and smirked a little,
“You’d have to count your days. I’d take you down in a second.”
Peter put on a face of mock offence, clutching his metaphoric pearls.
“You’d never!”
“Sure.”
She smiled back.
Peter ever the hero to her boredom.
She stuck by his side for the rest of her allocated time before the speeches. Thank the Gods she wasn’t saying anything but she had to look the Stark and stand behind her parents.
When the time came she stuck close to Peter, letting a small fake smile sit on her face as the guests sat and listened to her Dad.
He spoke of the sacrifices a hero makes, the lives they save and the lives they don’t. He speaks of the impact they have, how the awareness of their destruction is just as important as the fact they win.
Indiana had watched her Dad go from warlord to hero and she couldn’t deny she was proud of him. Proud to be his daughter.
But as the cameras flashed and the applause thundered through the hall she couldn't help the sinking feeling in her chest.
She didn’t belong here on this stage with her family.
She’d be dealt a hand she didn’t want but was forced to use. As long as she was in Tony Stark’s shadow she would be forced to live a life not authentic.
Always Stark and not Indiana.